Is your kitty frisky and playful? Cats are really cute when they’re pouncing on catnip mice or chasing after that little red dot from a laser pointer. Actually, playing with your feline friend is one of the best things you can do for her. As your Marion, IA area vet, I offer some advice on playing with cats in this article.
Make It Routine
Most kitties are creatures of habit. You may notice your pet follows a set schedule for meals, napping, grooming herself, and cuddling. Try to play with Fluffy at roughly the same time every day. One easy way to do this is just make a habit of picking up a laser pointer or wand toy when you settle in to watch TV at night. Even a few minutes of running, pouncing, and jumping will be beneficial to your feline pal.
Don’t Worry About Overdoing It
As you may know, cats can overheat pretty easily, especially in hot weather. In summer, play with your kitty in climate-controlled areas, or in the mornings or evenings, when it’s cooler out. Of course, if Fluffy gets tired, she’ll just walk away or curl up for a nap.
Discourage Bad Petiquette
Some of our feline buddies think it’s great fun to pounce on their humans. Nip this bad habit in the bud! IF Fluffy attacks you, tell her ‘No’ in a disapproving tone. Then, just walk away and ignore her for a while.
Let Fluffy Win
Your pet may get discouraged and lose interest in playtime if she never ‘catches’ her prey. Let your furry little hunter win sometimes. (Fluffy will never stop trying to catch that elusive red dot, but that’s another topic.)
Put Wand Toys Away After Use
Many cats love playing with wand toys. Because you’re controlling the action, your pet won’t know what her ‘target’ is going to do next. Just be sure to put these toys away after use. Fluffy could get tangled up if she tries to play by herself.
Don’t Play Favorites
Do you have more than one cat? Dual play sessions can help ease tensions between your furry friends. However, you’ll need to take care to give all of them equal playtime. Fluffy may get very jealous of Mittens if she feels left out!
As your local Marion, IA area veterinarian, I am dedicated to offering excellent veterinary care. Contact me anytime!
